* The Chicago Sun-Times is broadcasting its editorial board meeting with the Democratic gubernatorial candidates on YouTube. Watch it…

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rauner campaign…

Following the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board meeting with Democratic candidates for Illinois governor, Citizens for Rauner Communications Director Will Allison released the following statement:

“One thing was clear from today’s forum: no matter who wins the Democratic primary, he’ll be running on an agenda of more tax hikes on Illinois families and businesses. For JB Pritzker, he claims he has detailed plans, but when will he specify the rates on his progressive income tax proposal?” - Will Allison, Communications Director for Citizens for Rauner

* RGA…

“Today’s Chicago Sun-Times editorial board meeting was a train-wreck for Illinois Democrats, with candidates arguing amongst themselves over who is most beholden to the special interests and crooked politics that have dominated Illinois for so long. The reality is that they all have deep ties to disgraced politicians like Mike Madigan or Rod Blagojevich, and that the general election will be a stark contrast between their politics as usual and the reform agenda of Governor Bruce Rauner.” – Republican Governors Association Spokesman Steven Yaffe

*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…

Today, JB Pritzker demonstrated why he is the best candidate to take on Bruce Rauner and get Illinois back on track at the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board interview. JB highlighted his record of getting big things done for Illinois’ working families and standing up for progressive values while consistently holding Bruce Rauner accountable for his failed leadership. JB laid out his plans to reverse Rauner’s systemic disinvestment in Illinois communities and grow the economy statewide, demonstrating he is the candidate with the vision and leadership to move Illinois forward.

“JB is the only candidate in this race ready to take on Bruce Rauner and he made that clear at the Sun-Times today,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “With his record of standing up for progressive values and his plans to grow the Illinois economy and create jobs statewide, it is clear that JB has the vision and leadership to move Illinois forward. JB was proud to hold that record up to Bruce Rauner’s record of failed leadership and will continue to make that message clear throughout this campaign.”

Maybe I’ve missed them, but this is one of the only livestreams of the gubernatorial fora I’ve come across, and this is a good substantive conversation. That’s a nice thing about primaries. Thanks to the Sun-Times (and to you Rich for the link)

JB is flailing and repeating his robotic talking points. Weak response to Blagoevich tape. Kennedy is taking it to the establishment. Every single candidate is for fair maps as are bipartisan majorities of Illinois residents. Berrios accused of violating 1964 civil rights act by overassessing African American communities.

The moderators neglect to mention pension reform that is the reason social services and education is not being funded.

Daniel Biss is for free college in a state that hasn’t had a balanced budget in at least 17 years and has at least 130 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. All paid for by a financial transaction state that no other state has and would certainly cause the exit of the CBOT and CBOE from Illinois. No acknowledgment of the high hurdle to pass the graduated income tax that if implemented should be used to pay off debt not spend more.

No acknowledgement of the lack of faith in Illinois government by JB, just Rauner and Trump bashing. Total silence on Mike Madigan’s destructive tenure as leader of Illinois Democratic Party or his conflict of interest with Joe Berrios as a 7 figure property tax lawyer

Whats this ‘progressive values’ thing Pritzker and Biss keep referring to? Is that the idea of its ok to keep taxing the working poor and middle classes cause they’re not smart enough to know whats good for themselves thing?

—Whats this ‘progressive values’ thing Pritzker and Biss keep referring to? Is that the idea of its ok to keep taxing the working poor and middle classes cause they’re not smart enough to know whats good for themselves thing?—

Blue Dog Dem - No its the part where really rich people pay higher tax rates, IE not a flat tax system, a progressive tax. Working poor and middle class will pay less taxes in that type of a system.